Monthly Archives: February 2010

Tuff-Tuff Tåget for Grona Lund in 2010

Posted on February 28, 2010 in News by

Tuff-Tuff Tåget, or Choo Choo Train, will be Grona Lund’s new addition for this year.  In an effort to provide more things to do for small children, this new addition will allow smaller riders to enjoy this mere 8 foot tall ride.  The Zamplera Mini Mouse is expected to open on April 4, 2010.

This new addition just goes to show that the park is doing quite well.  In 2007, they added a Vekoma Family Suspended coaster, and just last year the park added a new Intamin 4D Coasterball, appropriately named Insane.  Seeing that the park is so small in size, it amazes me that they continue to add compact coasters that pack a punch.  Leave a comment with your park thought below.

Top 3 Theme Park Novelties

Posted on in Uncategorized by

There are certain items that scream a good old amusement park to me.  These novelties are the quintessential items to have a classic theme park, they are have the same essence as a good old fashion wooden coaster, a hand carved carousel, or the grand strip lights that glisten at night.  Souveniers like these are slwoly disappearing but are still a great find.  Here are some of my favorite theme park novelties.

3. Boardwalk Game Prize Stuffed Animals – In nearly every romantic scene at a boardwalk or theme park, the guy always wins his significant other a stuffed animal by showing off his skills at a boardwalk game.  While these items are cheap, stuffed toys and many call them rip-offs.  They bring joy to the eyes of the beholder.  They make any child at heart feel warm and fuzzy inside.  Call them what you like, but there is something about these simplistic little toys that seems to always make me happy to win one.  When you win one of these toys, don’t you feel superior to everyone else?  Don’t be modest of course they do.  Weather these little figurines bring a sense of romance or a sense of victory they are of course one the greatest, under appreciated little items which is why they are number 3.

2. Cotton Candy

Yum, yum!  Weather it is pink, blue, green, orange, or purple, nothing satisfies the 4 year old in all of us then a great big bundle of Cotton Candy.  The fluffy air filled food is essential to any classic amusement park.  Every sweet tooth will meet their craving with some cotton candy.  Personally, I am not a fan of cotton candy’s taste, however seeing it just makes it feel like such a great moment.

1. Balloon Figures

This is not some worthless talent, it is an art form!  I recently met an amazing balloon artists/creator/constructor who was very talented.  And while these are disappearing in theme parks, when done right, they are simply amazing.  Let your imagination inflate into any of these wonderful creations that you can carry, wear, or play with. Choose what your heart desires, weather it be a flying pig, penguin with a lazer gun, or a 3.5 foot Dragon hat, Balloon figurines bring out the child in me.

So what other novelties do you like at theme parks?  Frozen lemonades?  Giant pretzels?  Leave a comment with your park thought below.


Sea World Trainer Drowns in Killer Whale Attack

Posted on February 27, 2010 in News by

Tragedy at Sea World yesterday as one of the park’s most experienced trainers was drowned by the biggest killer whale in captivity.  While officials have yet to release details, there are conflicting reports of how the events played out.  There are some video clips of moments prior to the incident but it is unknown if the actual incident was caught on tape.

All of us at Park Thoughts send our condolences to the family member of the trainer killed in the victim.  Please leave a comment with your park thought about this tragic incident.

Get Published on Park Thoughts!

Posted on February 26, 2010 in Park Thoughts Updates by

Do you write articles and reviews about Amusement Parks? We’d love to have them published here on Park Thoughts!

Park Thoughts is looking for articles and reviews to publish to our large collection. We’re looking for only the best, top-notch writing out there.

If you’re interested, please follow these guidelines:

  • Must be in correctly typed US English. Articles with repeated spelling and grammar...

News Round-Up

Posted on February 24, 2010 in News by

Its time for a quick round up of the news that Park Thoughts has unfortunately missed in the past few days.

First up is the now gone, but not forgotten, Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom is now the subject of a battle between Six Flags and the Kentucky Fair.  Each of them have filed a lawsuit against each other,  Why is the...

Welcome Back Captain

Posted on February 19, 2010 in Uncategorized by

First and foremost, I would like to apologize for the past two days.  Sadly, due to an unfortunate accident, my entire city lost power early this week and since they have fixed it, there have been power surges in the city ever since.  So due to the lack of power, there may be a shortage of posts in the coming...

Coney Island Announces Expansion

Posted on February 17, 2010 in News by

New York City mayor, Micheal Bloomberg, and Centeral Amusement International (CAI) pulled back the curtain on the plans to expand the Coney Island district greatly with new expansion plots along the waterfront.  CAI will be leasing three sections of land for new amusement park development.  They are pouring $30 million into developing and maintaining this new park for at least...